[ronmicle]

Thanks Tom. I will try to pick up that book soon. I’ve realized Sowell has a bunch of videos on Youtube. Here’s one on why certain racial groups excel economically while others don’t:

[ronmicle]

Thanks Prof. McClanahan. So it seems that this fact along with Lincoln’s offer at the Hampton Roads Peace Conference (see my post here) clearly show that the war did not even remotely hinge on slavery. Just like how Lincoln wrote to Horace Greeley that he would preserve the Union regardless of slavery being legal or illegal, the South was adamant on independence regardless of slavery being legal or illegal

[ronmicle]

Some libertarian documentaries would be swell.

[ronmicle]

Don’t forget that nullification protected slavery as well

[ronmicle]

Interesting. I can’t believe people eat stuff like that up. Even if you believe that Lincoln truly hated slavery his whole life, the movie essentially glorifies the idea that the ends justifies the means. Lincoln can bribe people, lie to Congress regarding peace negotiations with the South, and the speaker can break precedent and vote and it’s all okay as the long the end goal is good. It’s amazing that people can’t understand that this is totally unsustainable and ripe for abuse.

[ronmicle]

Can any of the professors (or anyone really) weigh in on this? Thanks.

[ronmicle]

here’s a decent link on historical interpretations of the 2nd amendment: http://www.guncite.com/gc2ndpur.html

[ronmicle]

a libertarian textbook of American history? I would definitely be interested but can’t imagine anything like that being written anytime soon

[ronmicle]

The constitutional argument is important, but perhaps a bit overrated. I think the major point to make is: in a free society, how can you not have the right to defend yourself or your property? It is right to make people depend on the state if their house is robbed, etc?

[ronmicle]

Some good responses in this thread. Avoiding a win/lose proposition when arguing is certainly sound advice.

[ronmicle]

I don’t feel drained because I’m not in arguments with people, but I feel very discouraged about the cause of liberty. Just consider the mainstream conversation concerning recent events like the movie Lincoln and the gun control debate surrounding the murder/suicide of Jovan Belcher. People just won’t listen to you if you argue Lincoln was a tyrant/racist or more guns don’t lead to more crime.

[ronmicle]

If you check out the latest LRC podcast, Lew and historian John V. Denson talk about Lincoln (starts at 44:20). Denson mentions that during the Hampton Roads Peace Conference, Lincoln did not make the South accept the abolition of slavery as a condition for peace. In fact, he said that if the South rejoined the Union, the South would have enough votes to strike down the 13th amendment (this point is made at about 48:00).

Here’s an article from Denson about this conference. Denson summarizes the conversation at the conference, which seems to clearly show that Lincoln wanted the re-unite the Union, slavery or no slavery.

[ronmicle]

koop21, Donald seems to be unclear on that page. In one paragraph, he states, “Lincoln used his personal authority and considerable charm to influence Democratic and border-state congressman who’s votes were in doubt.” In another, he says, “conclusions about the President’s role rested on gossip”.

Here’s a direct link to the page: http://books.google.com/books?id=lTQSlhUUEOQC&lpg=PA1&dq=lincoln%20david%20donald&pg=PA554#v=onepage&q=lincoln%20david%20donald&f=false

[ronmicle]

Try looking at Lerone Bennett’s Forced into Glory. I just got it from my library, but haven’t gotten to the 13th Amendment just yet.

[ronmicle]

Check out this blog post from Charles Burris at LRC too:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/126276.html

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